Modern Wake for our Motorways (Ondo 2025 – 2029)

 

Why reassess Ondo State’s roads and accordingly put out this piece as a call to action for the intending occupier of Ondo’s Governorship seat over the next four-year democratic cycle? Be it via direct government funding, equity financing, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) etc., to-be-executed road infrastructure projects require engineering designs, and the construction company will build based on design. Therefore, if future road designs across Ondo State do not convey the air of modernity discussed in this write-up, the road to modernity will be a mirage.

Roads and their accompanying infrastructure are economic enablers that Ondo, like all other States in Nigeria, cannot but invest in for ease of movement of citizens, residents, guests, investors, goods and services. This universal infrastructure also bolsters a geographical entity’s aesthetic profile to stimulate a perception of modernity and diligent use of taxpayers’ monies for their welfare by those in authority. Such confidence inspired by a good road network can attract unprecedented private sector investments for economic prosperity.

Whenever people rightfully categorize the current Ondo State as a civil service-only environment – one whose strategic vision appears skewed in favour of a government-dominated economy against a private sector-driven development – the absence of a mega-city status in any of the major settlements – including Akure, appears to give credence to such categorization. Mega-cities parade motorways whose cosmopolitan outlook are promising signs of ready-to-do-business. As the State government moves to give Akure, the headquarters of Ondo State, her first overhead bridge at Onyearugbulem – Shagari junction along the Akure – Owo expressway to prevent road mishaps and ease gridlock at that critical axis, this piece delves into little foxes that spoil the vine of modernity that we expect of the road infrastructure of an oil-producing State like ours.

I may not be an engineer, let alone a specialist in civil construction but my power of observation, fuelled by my medical training and instinct, is on high alert as I move through different cities within Nigeria in my daily life. Recently, I observed during my sojourn in Akure that the arterial road from Shoprite/Government Secretariat roundabout, through the International Culture & Conference Centre (The Dome) to the State House of Assembly, which hitherto was without streetlights for more than ten years, has ‘finally’ been illuminated for a safe and pleasurable night drive. That is one welcome intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration. One couldn’t imagine why such a major intra-city corridor hosting major government & private business premises within the State capital had to be dressed without streetlights for years before its latest liberation. If Akure – the seat of power – does not present sufficient signs of modernity along its roads, what will be the fate of Ondo, Ore, Okitipupa, Igbokoda, Owo, Ikare-Akoko, Akungba-Akoko, Idanre or Igbaraoke?  

Before my forage into the modern features that we’ll love to see adorn Ondo State roads henceforth, the highlight of some recommended road projects recommended for upgrade (dualization or construction) across major & emerging cities for expansion within the next political dispensation (2025 to 2029) is first presented forthwith.

1a. Dualization of strategic roads

Owing to several factors (population explosion, urbanization status, economic potential of the axis etc.) at this time of our history, the following strategic motorways require upgrade to dual carriage corridors.

       i.          Oke-Aro – Oba Afunbiowo Estate – Prayer centre Road (in Akure – Central Senatorial district)

     ii.          School of Nursing – Federal Secretariat – HOB Estate Road (in Akure – Central Senatorial district)

   iii.          Akure – Ondo – Ore flyover Road (connecting the Central and Southern Senatorial districts)

   iv.          Ore flyover – Okitipupa Road (Southern Senatorial district)

     v.          Oba-Akoko – Akungba-Akoko – Ikare-Akoko Road (Northern Senatorial district)

Although some of the above-listed roads are Federal highways, the State government is advised to take the bull by the horn in modernizing them for the socioeconomic benefit of Ondo State residents.

1b. Construction of rural access roads

Across the 203 wards within the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State, the construction of rural access roads to the following livewires of productivity is strategic and urgent. Each of the roads leading to & from these public facilities is to be strategically selected across the 203 wards such that the road beginning at their individual entrances/gates are constructed to link/join the nearest previously constructed (with asphalt or concrete technology overlay) major intra-community road.

       i.          203 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities

     ii.          203 primary schools

   iii.          203 secondary schools

   iv.          203 farm settlements

That mentioned, what constitutes a modern wake for our motorways in Ondo State?

A modern wake for our motorways in Ondo State is thus a necessary and noble call for the next developmental phase running from February 24, 2025, to February 23, 2029. Methinks that a child born in Akure in this age doesn’t have to travel outside the State to visualize and use modern road accessories such as discussed below.

a. Streetlights

While it may be capital-intensive to ensure all roads are lit, the class of roads traversing supposed business/commercial areas, major intra-city roads and arterial township roads across the 18 LGAs require streetlights in a modern era. The State government may do well to continue with the solar-powered alternatives in this regard.

b. Traffic lights

These are no luxury facilities. They are essential for traffic control and orderliness expected in a modern era. Despite several roundabouts and major intersections requiring vehicular control, there is no single traffic light within Akure as at today. That, in my humble opinion, is not acceptable to modernity.

c. Zebra crossings

They shouldn’t be far-fetched, so that our children alive and those yet unborn can develop modern culture of road-users and become global citizens.

d. Pedestrian walkways

Like we have along major roads within Akure (Arakale, Oba Adesida, Oba-Ile airport, NEPA-hospital roads), pedestrian paths with concrete overlay should be a recurring feature of the major roads across other non-Akure cities.

e. Medians of dual carriageways

Concerning medians of dual carriageways; the following characteristics of modernity are recommended.

o   Streetlights should be installed within one month of completion of new roads.

o   They should contain levelled fillings of either concrete or grasses – not over-heaped & unkempt surfaces that empty their excess fillings on the fast lane of both carriageways

o   All narrow-sized medians should not have trees because of the dangers of obstructing the view of road users. Rather, trees are to be planted at a safe distance from the drains, along both sides of the road.

f. Wired fence for green areas

Green areas within roundabouts or behind pedestrian walkways may require wired fences for barricade and aesthetics.

g. Bus sheds

At least, the major cities should wear contemporary looks that are marked by functional bus sheds along major routes.  

h. Covered drains

Apart from Oba Adesida Road in Akure, I am not aware (but I stand to be corrected) of any other road within Akure or any other major city in Ondo State that has covered drains. In a phased approach, we may consider taking the design & construction of major intra-city roads a notch higher than open drainages.

i. Overhead bridge

At major cross-roads or intersections within our cities, roundabouts are far cheaper for the State government to construct than overhead bridges/flyovers – that I know. However, from Ore flyover (across Ore – Benin highway), now to Onyearugbulem – Shagari flyover (across Akure – Owo highway), the State needs to keep moving in that direction.

Finaly, here are additional titbits of modernity for our roads 

o   All adjoining roads without asphalt or concrete overlays that empty heaps of sand to major/arterial roads are to be constructed (with asphalt or concrete overlays) till its highest point to prolong the lifespan of the latter.

o   All heaps of sand & debris placed outside the drains by road contractors during construction must be either levelled or completely evacuated up to a point that it doesn’t continually return to block the drain after construction.

o   For an efficient road maintenance culture, residents’ video descriptions of bad road spots –(with names of roads/streets, LGAs, one major landmark close to the bad spot) should be encouraged by Ondo State ministry of Works (because I don’t know how officials of the State Ministry of Works currently find out about failing roads/bad spots across the State for prompt intervention).

Should the next government to be formed by 24^th February 2024 give listening ears to these nitty-gritty regarding modernization of Ondo State roads, then shall the Sunshine State begin to re-create in the minds of willing business players and urban dwellers, the readiness of our dear State for mammoth private sector-driven economic development that outshines civil service-only bandwagon effects.

Dr. Adetolu Ademujimi is a Medical Doctor, Health Finance Specialist, Author, Reformer, Coach, Public Policy expert and Social entrepreneur who can be reached in Abuja via adetoluademujimi@gmail.com